FISHING FUNCTION
TEXT BY BARRY THOMPSON
The ethos of the Maritimo brand is a long range motor yacht and the new M600 Offshore epitomisis that, but with the added bonus of being a little more fishing specific.
The M600 Offshore comes from the offshore cockpit and motoryacht styling first introduced a number of years ago by Maritimo with the 550,500 & 470 Offshore Series.
While Maritimo have been focusing recently on the sedan and flybridge cruising market, there has been a lot of pressure for a model that has a cockpit more designed for fishing. The M600 is the first in the new series and will soon be followed by an S600 Offshore sedan version.
The most obvious difference is while the M60 and M55 feature and open adventure deck, designed to stow your tender or jet skis, the new M600 Offshore has a full transom. This totally encapsulates the cockpit and divides it purposely from the aft platform. The M600 offers greater fishing versatility, but also offers a solid separation from the water.
The M600 Offshore is equipped with a huge underfloor deck well, live bait tank, tuna tubes and the side decks have been kept flush with no rails, or cleats protruding. Even the mooring cleats are positioned below the coaming level.
The forward entertainment module comes with a stainless electric grill, sink unit and fridge freezer. The module, complete with the seat hinges up to give access to a large lazarette storage area.
Tom Barry-Cotter, Chief designer for Maritimo says,“We constantly receive requests for enclosed cockpits and to spec our current range towards fishing and making the rear end of the boat more versatile. The M600 Offshore is the first of our new models to be specifically designed around that purpose and function”.
Depending on what degree of fishing you are into, the M600 platform can be configured to suit, from having no boarding platform to a 1.4m long rise and fall. However, if fishing isn’t your thing, then the M600 with the extended platform provides you with a massive amount of space. The owner of M600
Offshore #1 plans to carry a jetski on the platform.The M600 Offshore and the M60 share the same hull, but with different deck configurations.
The flybridge of the M600 Offshore has a slightly smaller flybridge than the M60 but shares a lot of common parts and layout features. The M600 is based on an 18.57m LOA hull with a 5.23m beam, 1.52m draft and displacement of around 33,600kgs (light).
Interestingly the M600 reviewed was so packed with extra features that the all up displacement had risen to closer to 40,000 kgs. These included a Davco davit crane on the foredeck, with a 3.5m tender and Seakeeper Gyro. While the standard fuel capacity is 4550 litres, the owner wanted a much longer range and had Maritimo add another 2000 litre fuel tank aft. With a total capacity of 6550 litres that gives the M600 even further cruising range.
ENGINE OPTIONS
While the standard engine package is a pair of Volvo Penta D-13 / 800hp through shafts, the owner had opted for a pair of Scania 16l /1150hp. This gave a top speed of 34 knots and a high speed cruise around 29 knots. Interestingly the Scania’s run to 2300 rpm and that’s it. They are designed to run continuously at max rpm, 24/7. Maritimo are one of the few international builders that do not offer Volvo Penta IPS in their engine option package. Shaft drive is the only option.
FUEL/PERFORMANCE DATA
We ran in a very uncomfortable sea off Surfers Paradise and still maintained around 20 knots. There is a very smooth transition on to the plane at 14 knots and the boat reaches maximum rpm very quickly. During our trials, we never touched the tabs. It’s a slippery hull that works well with the Scania power package.
At 1700 rpm, the M600 recorded 212 lph @19.6 knots and a range of 379nm form 10.8 lpnm. At 2300 rpm the speed was 33.5 knots using 398 lph with a range of 345nm.
CHOICE OF TIMBERS
A large atrium lets light pour into the companionway which leads into the accommodation area. Like the rest of the boat all the timber is gloss Walnut, but you have the option of satin or gloss in either Walnut, Teak or Wenge. To date gloss Walnut is favoured. The M600 Offshore is a three stateroom, two en-suite boat and follows a floor plan very similar to other Maritimos of this size. On the first landing is twin single starboard guestroom and day head with full-beam king master stateroom aft and an offset queen stateroom forward. The twin single’s can slide together to form a third double berth. Storage spaces through include drawers, hanging lockers and shelf space. All the cabins come with wall mounted TVs, with the master fitted with a 50” TV at the end of the bed. One of the layout options available is in the master where the arrangements either side can be configured as storage,seating or even a small vanity/office area.
SPACIOUS FLYBRIDGE
The M600 ‘sky lounge’ has truly maximised the motor yachts beam and space. The helm electronics are owner’s choice and our boat was fitted with a trio of 19’ Garmin MFDs. Twin Pomponette helm seats with footrests are standard. In addition to Maritimo’s climate-controlled fully enclosed flybridge and internal staircase, there are two dedicated flybridge lounging areas and a large aft flybridge deck with optional rear helm station. There is the option of a flybridge head on the port side aft, which is ideal for long range passagemaking.
The M600 Offshore includes Maritimo’s Vista Window system which features deep sliding windows either side which recess into the moulding and provide 1.8m of open space. Standard are two overhead deck hatches, with an optional full sliding sun roof. Open the bifold doors and the flybridge and balcony transform into one huge space. There’s a wrap-around aft settee, table and a port side driving station. From here you can have perfect sightlines not only to the cockpit to keep an eye on all the action – ideal when backing up on a big fish- but you can also see ahead over the bow. If you want to keep the weather out of the upper deck, there are optional breezeways or clears that drop down from the overhead deck. These are also available in the downstairs upper deck.
SOPHISTICATED SALOON
The saloon layout is very much what you would expect to see in most Maritimo flybridge models, with an aft galley with island bench. This has long been a feature of the brand and it works well. You have the option of a short island you can walk around or a longer one that extends back to the sliding aft doors. The galley is an integral component of the Maritimo’s commitment to providing a boat that is designated as a long-range motor yacht, hence a galley that is more like a household kitchen. Full size fridge and freezer, large double oven, wine fridge, solid composite surfaces and a generous pull-out pantry are all part of the package. A lot of storage and a lot of cooking capability. The saloon is all about relaxing in one of two leather lounge suites, with panoramic windows all around. As found in the flybridge, this includes Maritimo’s unique two-stage vista sliding windows which transform the areas into an indoor/outdoor escape.
The transition from the mezzanine cockpit to the galley through to the saloon is only one step between zones, so maximum use can be made of the floor space. The galley seamlessly connects the upper cockpit deck and the enormous saloon lounging area.The large alfresco upper cockpit provides a versatile space with a forward-facing Euro lounge plus optional L shape lounger either side forward. With the drop down clears, the whole space becomes an extension of the saloon. Large walk-around decks and minimal steps provide safe and easy access to the foredeck which is complete with a sun lounger.Another identifying feature of the Maritimo brand is the wings over the side decks. Designed so the external profile of the superstructure is vertical and not angling inwards. This has allowed Maritimo, to maximise the internal beam of the flybridge and also means the staircase is positioned further outboard and thereby increasing the width of the galley.
PLENTY OF ORDERS
Orders for the M600 Offshore are worldwide with sales outside Australia, to New Zealand, USA, Spain and Singapore. While the M600 Offshore doesn’t allow for a tender garage or even a beach club, that’s fine, because its design brief was to be a versatile fishing boat with a cruising bent. I see it as being a fabulous family boat with a safe very useable cockpit, plenty of accommodation and a very friendly and warm layout. It is a step away from the existing M series, with a cockpit and transom layout that makes it so different.
A fully enclosed climate-controlled flybridge sky lounge, sumptuous accommodation, spacious saloon and galley, with an internal staircase provides the essential comfort needed for those long-range cruising and passage making.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Maritimo M600 Offshore
Year: Launched 2020
Priced: From AUD$3.265m
LOA: 18.57 m
LOH: 18.35 m
Beam: 5.23 m
Draft: 1.52 m
Dry weight: 33,600 kg
Fuel: 4550 litres (standard)
Water: 750 litres
Engines: Scania 16l /1150hp
Generator: Cummins – Onan17.5kw 50hz
Tender Crane: Davco
Platform: Davco
Gyro: Seakeeper
Controls: Twin Disc EJS
MFDs: 3 x 19” Garmin
MARITIMO.COM.AU
